THE leader of Kirklees Council has been appointed to a top regional role.

Clr Kath Pinnock has joined the board of regional development agency Yorkshire Forward as a local authority representative.

She will replace Clr Eileen Bosomworth, leader of Scarborough Council, who retires from the board next week.

Clr Pinnock was appointed leader of Kirklees Council in June, 2000.

The Liberal Democrat also sits on the executive of both the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Assembly and the Yorkshire and Humber Association of Local Authorities.

Yorkshire Forward chairman Terry Hodgkinson said Clr Pinnock had a reputation as a champion of local government, a strong commitment to public service and a determination to tackle social and economic barriers facing disadvantaged groups.

In the past year, Yorkshire Forward has helped to create or safeguard 27,000 new jobs, create or attracted more than 1,1000 new businesses and provide 66,000 learning opportunities.

It has also attracted more than £333m of investment to the region - achieving or exceeding all its Government-set targets.